flight simulator

flight simulator,

device providing a controlled environment in which a flight trainee can experience conditions approximating those of actual flight. A simulator generally consists of an enclosure housing a working replica of the interior of the cockpit of an aircraft. This replica has all the usual instruments and is mounted in such a way that it can be moved to simulate the rolling, pitching, and yawing motions of an aircraft. The instrument readings, the student's control inputs, the position of the simulator, information about the characteristics of the aircraft being simulated, and information about the terrain over which it is supposed to be flying are coordinated by a computer so that the student experiences everything but the accelerations of actual flight. In early simulators, all visual information was provided by the instruments. Thus the student received practice in flying blind. The recent use of sophisticated computers has made it possible to provide realistic video displays of conditions outside the cockpit.

flight simulator

[′flīt ‚sim·yə‚lād·ər]

(aerospace engineering)

A training device or apparatus that simulates certain conditions of actual flight or of flight operations.

flight simulator

A training device or apparatus that can simulate entire flight characteristics of any particular aircraft type. The simulator cockpit is an exact replica of the aircraft cockpit. The simulator is computer-driven. A facility is provided to project terrain, airfield layout, etc. to simulate conditions as realistically as possible. The actions taken by a pilot can be monitored from outside the simulator and recorded for a detailed debrief. Simulators can be used to train pilots in procedures, emergencies, and, in certain types, even air combat. It is possible for the instructor to simulate various in-flight emergencies from his or her control cabin outside the simulator cockpit.

flight simulator

Hardware and software that models the behavior of airplanes and spacecraft. Flying a plane can be simulated in a regular computer with flight simulator software; however, pilots and astronauts learn how to fly in full-scale systems that recreate the experience with extreme realism. See simulator.

Flight Simulator

Evans & Sutherland supplies the computer simulation for flight simulators used in commercial and military aircraft training. This 20' dome in the Netherlands has an actual cockpit inside. The simulated scenes are projected onto the dome, and the hydraulics move the unit. (Image courtesy of Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, www.es.com)

Military and Commercial Simulations

Military pilots are trained by simulating enemy aircraft. Commercial pilots are trained by simulating takeoffs and landings at major airports. (Images courtesy of Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation.)

Military and Commercial Simulations

Military pilots are trained by simulating enemy aircraft. Commercial pilots are trained by simulating takeoffs and landings at major airports. (Images courtesy of Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation.)

In a Gaming PC

In 2012, PC maker MAINGEAR introduced a very elaborate game controller for flight simulation on a Windows PC. With the monitor placed on top of the controller, you are flying the plane! For more information, visit www.maingear.com.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Defence and Chairman PIA, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said that the installation of the flight simulator will prove to be a good omen for turning around PIA as the present government is keenly looking forward to the growth of the national flag carrier.

HAVELSAN develops FAA Level C & D Mission Simulators, Full Flight Simulators, and Weapon System Trainers, with high fidelity, for cargo aircraft, jet aircraft, and helicopters for military and civilian customers.

The Sesto Calendes Training Academy is now the first ever Simulation Training Centre featuring the entire Product Family of Level D Full Flight Simulators also including the AW139 and the AW189 models.

An extensive Navy study on the training value of flight simulators found that students who use micro-simulation products during early flight training tend to have higher scores than students who do not use the software, reporting that 54 percent more of these students received above-average flight scores.

David Rushton, managing director of E&S's Commercial Simulation division, commented, "We continue to be able to meet the Lufthansa requirement for high-fidelity training and product commonality across its continuously growing fleet of flight simulators.

The development staff of IENT has developed and distributed over 100 great flight simulations since 1982 like the famous flight simulators F-15 Strike Eagle, F-19 Stealth Fighter, B-17 Flying Fortress, Gunship, iF-22 Raptor, Air Warrior III, Apache, and WarBirds, called "Simulation of the Decade" by one computer magazine.

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